(The Gist of PIB) Launch of Phase-II of DBT in Fertilizer Subsidy [JULY-2019]

Launch of Phase-II of DBT in Fertilizer Subsidy

Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers launched the Phase-II of the Direct Benefit Transfer of Fertilizer Subsidy (DBT 2.0).

The Department of Fertilizers (DoF) has implemented the Phase-I of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system in fertilizer subsidy pan-India in Fertilizers w.e.f. March 2018.
DBT in fertilizer subsidy is a step towards bringing ease of living in the lives of farmers through use of modern technology and plugging leakages, pilferages and black marketing.
Phase-I DBT system in Fertilizers (DBT 1.0) envisaged the release of 100% subsidy on various fertilizer grades to the fertilizer companies on the basis of actual sales made by the retailer to the beneficiaries.
A Project Monitoring Cell was set up at DoF to oversee implementation of DBT exclusively. The new initiatives of DBT 2.0 are as under:
DBT Dashboards: These dashboards provide various reports regarding the Fertilizer Stock position at ports, plants, in States, at District levels. The reports would facilitate real-time monitoring of the availability and sale of fertilizers within each State/UT.
PoS 3.0 Software: The Multi-lingual facility would provide Aadhar virtual ID option for registration, login and sale activity in DBT software.
Desktop PoS Version: Keeping in view the various operational challenges viz. limited Point-of-Sale (POS) vendors, rush of sales due to peak season etc. the department has developed a multilingual desktop version of PoS software as an alternative or added facility to PoS devices.